Introduction to Research – PSYC 255

Course Description

Students will receive an introduction to psychological research techniques and methodology. Course content is designed to improve students' overall understanding of research methods of the social sciences. Course content will address concepts related to research methodology, how to communicate ideas about science, and an overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Rationale

Research is integral to the science of psychology. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and tools needed to evaluate and conduct research. By understanding the research process, as well as concepts such as validity and reliability, the student will become a better critical consumer and producer of research.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Essay: APA Publication Manual Treasure Hunt Assignment

The student will demonstrate the ability to find content in the Publication Manual, explain assigned content and academic issues, and demonstrate correct APA formatting.  

In preparation for this assignment students will need to know how to access the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, either the eBook in our course resources in Canvas, or a hard copy of the Publication Manual acquired elsewhere.  The document that you submit into Canvas for this assignment will include a title page, and 3-5 pages of written content addressing assigned questions. (CLO: E)

Essay: Research Topic, Interests, and References Assignment

In this assignment you will demonstrate your understanding of research topics, research questions, identify research related personal interests, demonstrate library search skills and demonstrate correct APA formatting. The document that you submit into Canvas for this assignment will include a title page, references page and 3-5 pages of written content addressing assigned questions. (CLO: C, E)

In this assignment you will demonstrate your understanding of qualitative research method approaches, and demonstrate correct APA formatting.  Students will answer assigned questions with 3-5 pages of written content addressing assigned questions, document the sources used, create a title page and references page. (CLO: B, C, E)

In this assignment you will demonstrate your understanding of quantitative research method approaches, and demonstrate correct APA formatting. Students will answer assigned questions with 3-5 pages of written content, document sources used, create a title page and references page. (CLO: B, C, E)

Video Outline Assignment

This outline will incorporate content you have learned throughout the course so far. Along with what you have learned about identifying a research topic and question, locating scholarly sources that give some additional context to your topic and question, and determining the kind of research method you would like to use to answer your research question that you identified as an area of interest toward the beginning of the course. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

The Video Presentation Assignment will incorporate content you have learned throughout the course so far. The content specifically applies to you. For this Video Presentation Assignment you will post one 10-12 minutes video addressing the assigned content listed below. The content of your video presentation will be based on the work you have done so far in the course and what you have learned about identifying a research topic and question, locating scholarly sources that give some additional context to your topic and question, and determining the kind of research method would like to use to answer your research question that you identified as an area of interest toward the beginning of the course. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

This quiz will assess your understanding of basic concepts related to research, theories, and worldview. You will answer 10 questions (true and false or multiple choice). You may consult the Research Overview Presentation at any time during the quiz. (CLO: C, D). 

Quizzes (6)

There will be 6 open-book/open-notes quizzes in the course. Quizzes will cover content covered in the Learn folders.  Quizzes will have 15 questions each with a time limit of 1/2 hour. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F). 

The Comprehensive Final Examination in Module 8: Week 8 is an assessment tool to measure what students know, have learned, understand, and can put into practice from the PSYC 255 Introduction to Research course.  

Earlier in the course, brief quizzes were used to help prompt students to learn the content. Those quizzes were open book, and the time allowed was generous. By contrast the Comprehensive Final Examination is NOT open book. There is a reasonable time allowed. The timing is part of the assessment measurement. This will measure what you know and can use from what you have learned. There are 60 multiple choice questions, 2.5 points each.  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)